15 Fabulous Holiday Gifts That Give Back
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1. MADE WITH LOVE
Zazzle Heart Leather Tote from UBUNTU Made ($149.00, zazzle.com). Each piece from the Adventure Collection, a collaboration with UBUNTU and Zazzle, is handmade by artisans in Kenya. The proceeds from the sale of each tote bag directly benefit the health and well-being of the Maai Mahiu village.
2. GOOD STEWARDS
Blabla (blablakids.com) was founded on the principles of fair trade and sustainability. The company’s handcrafted dolls are made responsibly, and 5 percent of the profits support environmental organizations including “Beauregard the Wolf,” $46 (edf.org), and “River the Elephant,” $58 (charitywater.org). “Now that our environment feels more threatened, we want to make a difference. We hope this new initiative will inspire others to make a difference, too!” —Blabla founder Susan Pritchett
3. SAVE THE TURTLES
Support the Nature Conservancy by purchasing a Sea Turtle Nest gift set, which includes a bookmark, certificate and plush toy (minimum donation $25, gifts.nature.org).
4. GLIMMER OF HOPE
Light up your life with the Luci Color Essence Mini Trio of solar-powered lights in colors like violet, sky, coral and mint ($44.95, mpowerd.com). With each purchase, a community somewhere around the world will have access to a Luci light.
5. STAMPEDE OF CUTENESS
These Baby Stuffed Elephants are made by artisans in Laos using natural dyes ($24–$40, stfrank.com); Peace Coasters are created in the same traditional weaving technique of the Agaseke and handmade by women of Rwanda, providing them with socioeconomic opportunity to rebuild their communities and support their families.
6. GIVING GRINS
Humble Brush is an earth-friendly toothbrush made from biodegradable bamboo. Each purchase helps support oral health education around the world ($4.99, humblesmile.org).
7. BAKED GOODS
Satisfy that sweet tooth and help raise funds for childhood cancer with this Commemorative Cookie Gift Box in oatmeal chocolate chip, citrus shortbread and snickerdoodle. ($29.99, cookiesforkidscancer.org).
8. SPARKLE & SHINE
Each bottle of bubbly California Brut Sparkling Wine Rainbow Glitter Editionsupports The Trevor Project’s suicide prevention helpline, while each purchase of the California Brut Sparkling Wine Gold Glitter Edition provides 15 meals to a child in need ($59, onehopewine.com).
9. SPAT AND HAPPY
Make holiday baking extra fun with these wildly eclectic spatulas designed by celebrities like Bobby Flay and Faith Hill—exclusive to Williams Sonoma ($12.95, williamsonoma.com) and 30 percent of the proceeds will benefit nokidhungry.org. The winner or best-selling design will have $5,000 donated on their behalf.
10. SCARVES THAT SAVE
Wrap up in style with these colorful Handcrafted Raw Silk Scarves. The women who make them are from the Community Trade Link in Kathmandu, Nepal. Through fair trade, they support themselves and their families and ultimately improve their lives ($50 each, sushannatural.com).
11. GOOD FOOD
Two socially conscious businesses, FEED and Mouth, have partnered to curate a fabulous foodie FEED + Mouth Gift Bag, including sweet and savory treats and a wine tote. Each set provides five meals to hungry children around the world ($48, mouth.com and feedprojects.com).
12. DECK THE HALLS
Hand-embroidered by artisan women in Kyrgyzstan through fair trade, the festive Holiday Brights Red Garland is made from responsibly sourced wool ($52, craftspring.com).
13. CLOSE-KNIT BEANIES
Both Camp Pom and Colorblock Beanie help support the United By Blue Cleanup initiative aimed to clean up trash from the world’s waterways ($38, unitedbyblue.com).
14. BRACELET BEAUTIES
Spanish jewelry brand UNOde50 has designed a special Rett Awareness Bracelet, which supports research and treatments for Rett syndrome, a neurological developmental disorder discovered in girls within the first two years of life ($45, unode50.com).
15. SHARE YOUR HAPPY
Shop T-shirts from our Live Happy store ($28.95; store.livehappy.com) and 10 percent of net proceeds will go to the Global Giving Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund (through Dec. 31, 2017).
